Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

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Panera’s broccoli cheese soup is a favorite of so many of us. This creamy, cheesy soup is perfectfor a hearty lunch. This is easy to make—just take frozen broccoli, fresh carrots, and two types of cheese to make this soup. You can purchase bread bowls from the grocery store—then you will have broccoli cheese soup just like at Panera Bread.

Broccoli cheese soup is one of those soups that just warms the soul. I love to serve this style of soup with popovers or fresh yeast rolls with butter. This recipe calls for loaf-style processed cheese food —you might know this as Velveeta, but in this recipe, a store brand is good to use. If you are concerned about salt, use low-sodium chicken broth. Keep the heat at medium-low to medium, and stir frequently so the soup doesn’t scorch. If you need to reheat this soup, I suggest you reheat on the stovetop and add a little milk to the soup because it may become very thick after it is refrigerated.

Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

Author: CopyKat Recipes

Recipe Type: Soup

Prep time:10 minutes

Cook time:30 minutes

Serves: 6

Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup is easy to duplicate. Try this recipe—it tastes just like it does in the restaurant.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chopped yellow or white onion

1 cup half-and-half

1 (16-ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli

1 (16-ounce) loaf processed cheese (Velveeta or a store brand)

2 (14.5-ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup julienne-cut carrots (shredded carrots are okay)

8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and onions. Cook for about a minute, then slowly add the half-and-half, about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking until thickened and smooth. When all of the half-and-half is incorporated, add the broccoli and processed cheese. When the cheese is completely melted, add the chicken broth 1 cup at a time, stirring occasionally, until soup is well mixed and has a consistent texture. Add the carrots and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir in the cheddar cheese and cook for 10 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve when all the cheese is fully melted and blended through.

About Stephanie

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

Marilyn

Going to make this for 25 people do I just 4x everything in this recipe? Marilyn

http://www.copykat.com Stephanie Manley

I would do that, I would also most likely do it in two double batches so the cooking times would vary less.

Chatty

Can I freeze the soup? It made too much, but is very tasty.

Holly

I’m looking for Panera’s Autumn Squash Soup recipe… Any ideas?

Fern

This is a great recipe thanks for the post!

stephaniemanley

Thank you Fern, I hope you give the recipe a try. Do you have other flavors of soup you like from Panera?

Leslie Ferraro

Thank you Holly, this recipe is pretty perfect !!!

Brie Smith

My pregnant self was craving Panera soup at midnight lol. I found this recipe and I think it’s better then Panera. It’s very easy to make and way nicer to the wallet. Far better then sending my hubby on constant trips out for soup : P

Amack

I have to say, I normally am really skeptical about copy cat recipes of restaurants because they usually dont taste the same. I just made this today and it is pretty darn close to the restaurant. So close that I won’t be paying for Panera’s anymore! Thank you for this recipe!!!! It was delicious!!!!

stephaniemanley

Thank you. I try very hard to get recipes as close as I can. I am glad you enjoyed this one.

Denise D. Coy

Thank you Stephanie! This was a great recipe!! I was even better the next day! The only changes I made was to use only 1 can of chicken broth and use milk instead of half-and-half. Great recipe, and very simple to make! =)

stephaniemanley

I am glad the soup turned out well for you. Let me know if you have other requests in the future.

Jordan DeReus

Mine isn’t turning out thick or creamy

http://www.copykat.com Stephanie

You may want to prepare the soup on a lower temperature.

Amanda O.

My husband didn’t care for this. Was too thick and gritty…may have had the heat on too high….either way too rich for my liking.

http://www.copykat.com Stephanie

You can always add a little milk to make the soup less thick.

HJY

In the recipe, it calls for 1 pound of velveeta. But in the video, you used a larger size. How much do we use?

Stephanie Manley

I used 1 pound, I held up the big box because I thought it would look nicer than holding up a chunk of Velveeta.

http://www.copykat.com Stephanie

You use the 1 pound, I buy it in the 2 pound box. I think it saves you a few pennies. You can always wrap up the cheese and save the remaining amount for another time.

Holly

I’ve been searching for a good Broccoli Cheese soup for a while then Panera opened up close to us. Tried their soup and LOVED it but it’s quite pricey. I was so happy to get this recipe. I made it last night and it’s crazy good!!!! It’s very easy to make and is delicious. My hubby had 3 bowls and said he thought it was better than Panera.

Many thanks to Copykat for the recipe!!

Stephanie Manley

Thanks Holly I am so glad you enjoyed the soup, and now you can save a little cash!

http://www.facebook.com/Larry9er Larry Johnson

panera bread’s verson doest hae chunks of onions in it

Anne

Hi, I went on holiday to the USA, the soup was great. Just wondering, we don’t have velveete in our country (or any other American cheese, I am Dutch… there must be some right cheese for the soup here?)

Stephanie Manley

I would use a cheese that has a cheddar flavor and melts very well. Cheddar doesn’t melt as well as “american” cheese.

Jen

So I just made this soup for the first time and it was AWESOME!!!! I have a gluten allergy so I am not able to eat Panera Soups anymore. I made it and substituted it with GF all purpose flour and it was soup just as I remembered it. I can’t wait to try some more soups just as I remember them. Thank you so much for putting this together.

http://twitter.com/RixDesign Eric Rix

I do believe that Panera’s broccoli cheese has gluten in it, but they do have a few gluten-free kinds available. My mom is a celiac and I know because of her that they have a gluten-free menu available. Check it out…

Jesse

I made this last night. It was FANTASTIC!!!!!!

Nikki

The first time when she says to put in cheese, don’t put in all the cheese! I was shocked when the next step was to add the cheddar. It’s still cooking now, and I hope it still turns out good!!

Nikki

The first time when she says to put in cheese, don’t put in all the cheese! I was shocked when the next step was to add the cheddar. It’s still cooking now, and I hope it still turns out good!!

http://www.facebook.com/chocotacox Kiera Marie

How much for one serving?

sonalipr

Made half the recipe just to see if I liked them. I didn’t like it …I LOVED IT! Simple recipe and quick. Thanks for the recipe.

http://www.copykat.com Stephanie

I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe. I am always very happy to hear a recipe turned out well for someone! I hope you try other recipes.

Anonymous

I am so glad to hear that this soup recipe turned out well for you. There is something about a delicious soup and how it makes you feel inside.

Burly636

I buy this soup all the time to go by the pint, or whatever that size is. It is my all time favorite soup. I will try this recipie. Num

Burly636

I buy this soup all the time to go by the pint, or whatever that size is. It is my all time favorite soup. I will try this recipie. Num

Burly636

I buy this soup all the time to go by the pint, or whatever that size is. It is my all time favorite soup. I will try this recipie. Num

Megancasteen

You may want to add some beef broth to it as well, thats how Panera makes theirs (with both chicken and beef).

Oldsmc

thanks for the thumbs up, plan on makiing this tonight

Sarah

So I can chicken and one can beef??

http://www.copykat.com Stephanie Manley

You could do it that way.

Anwea

EXTRAORDINARY! The longer you simmer… the more velvety it becomes. AMAZING!

http://www.copykat.com Stephanie

I am glad you enjoyed the soup!

ida

Love, love your site. Keep it up.

amber

has anyone made this recipe as of yet. I am dying to make it but would love to hear your opinions on taste.

Eddiesuzettelancon

Yes, and it is spot on. Great taste and texture.

Eddiesuzettelancon

Yes, and it is spot on. Great taste and texture.

Sag517

Very good recipe! I don’t know what it tastes like at Panera’s but when I lived in Puerto Rico I had it all the time when I went to Chili’s. Well, here in the US Chili’s doesn’t serve them. I made it today and garnished with some chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro and extra shredded sheddar. Yummy!

Sag517

Very good recipe! I don’t know what it tastes like at Panera’s but when I lived in Puerto Rico I had it all the time when I went to Chili’s. Well, here in the US Chili’s doesn’t serve them. I made it today and garnished with some chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro and extra shredded sheddar. Yummy!

http://www.copykat.com Stephanie

I love a little fresh cilantro and just about anything!

NHgall

Instead of onion, I’ve been using chopped leek and the flavor & aroma are a home run! Love your recipe…

Mary

I love this site! Thank you so much for all you do!

Mitzi

What type of onion?

http://www.copykat.com Stephanie

I used yellow, I imagine a white onion would work well too.

http://www.facebook.com/Larry9er Larry Johnson

panera bread’s ersion doesnt have chunks of onion

Welcome to CopyKat Recipes

CopyKat.com is the creation of Stephanie Manley. Stephanie started publishing recipes on the web in 1995 as a means to capture her family recipes in a format that they would not be thrown away. Over the years she has developed many recipes that taste just like restaurant recipes. read more

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